CATEGORIES

Church History

In 1744, the Rev. Jonathan Lee rode into this “wilderness” on horseback to become our first pastor. In New England tradition, our first Meeting House served as the center of political, social, and religious assembly. Our present Meeting House, built in 1800, remains as a living example of Puritan simplicity. The Congregational Church of Salisbury is part of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a denomination which was formed in 1957 with the merger of two church bodies – the Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Church. Today the United Church of Christ includes almost 2 million people in nearly 6,500 congregations.

CHURCH TIMELINE

1741

Settlers petition General Court for “town privileges and liberty to imbody in church estate”

2017-09-26 21:38

1744

The Church is formed and the Rev. Jonathan Lee installed as Minister in a log house 30 x 25 feet, which served as the Lee’s home as well as the place of worship.

07/01/2017

1750

The First Meeting House was built for worship and town meetings where the Town Hall now stands: 45 long by 35 feet wide. Residents gathered at “sabba day houses” between services for lunch, warmth and socialization

07/01/2017

1788

The Rev. Jonathan Lee dies and is buried in graveyard behind Town Hall.

07/01/2017

1796

The Rev. Joseph Warren Crossman called as second Minister

07/01/2017

1800

The present Meeting House was erected measuring 64×45. All town residents required to contribute money or building material.

07/01/2017

07/01/2017

1804

Separation of Church and State – Ecclesiastical Society formed.

07/01/2017

1812

Rev. Crossman dies while ministering to the sick during an epidemic of typhoid pleurisy.